Apparatus for raising asphalt pavement.



No. 819,142. PATENTBD MAY 1, 1906. W. E. KERNS. APPARATUS FOR RAISINGASPHALT PAVEMENT. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 7, 1905.

@if s-.

WITNESSES: j ,"/z

No. 819,142. PATENTED MAY l, 1906.

W. E. KERNS. APPARATUS FOB RAISING ASPHALT PAVEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.7,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FIG I i: l .51T 31M.: :j

WITNEssE-s; f g INVENTOR. l

/ Mza/ml ffm/w, 74;,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEo WILLIAM E. KERNS, OF FOX CHASE,PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNOR TO THE VBARBER ASPHALT PAVING COMPANY, OFPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA, A CORPORATION OF W'EST VIRGINIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

.Patented May 1, 1906.

Application filed August '7. 1905. Serial Nc. 272.944.

To all Y1J/2,0711, 'it 71mg/ concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM E. KERNS, of Fox Chase, in the county ofPhiladel hia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Apparatus for Raising Asphalt Pavements, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

Heretofore when it has become necessary to take up the surface of anasphalt pavement it has been the practice to pry it up piece by piecewith crow bars operated manually. Owing to the tenacity with which thesurface layer of the pavement clings to the foundation below, thisoperation entails a very considerable amount of labor and is very slow.It is usually necessary in order to raise even a small piece to firstdelimit it by partially cutting around its edge with a sharp tool.

By the use of my invention it is possible in an ordinary city street toraise asphalt pavement in large pieces extending from curb to track, andthis is accomplished rapidly and with a minimum expenditure of labor, nodelimitation of the pieces being necessary.

The form of my invention hereinafter described comprises a rollingplatform upon which is mounted an engine or other motor and a hoistingmechanism operated by the engine comprising a plurality of large hooksby means of which the large pieces of asphalt are raised and broken off.Said platform is also conveniently arranged to be self-propelled bymeans of said motor.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I represents in elevation anapparatus en bodying my invention, a portion of the streetpavement beingshown in section in order to illustrate the method of operation of thedevice. Fig. II is a plan view of the same. Fig. III is a perspectiveview of a portion of the derrick. Fig. IV is a side elevation of one ofthe hooks.

My apparatus comprises a platform 1, mounted upon flat-tired wheels orrollers 2 2 d "J capable of being blocked by the brake-shoe 3. Upon theplatform is mounted a steamboiler -I, supplying steam to a donkey-engine5, which operates a winch 6, all of which parts appear in the drawingsand need not be more particularly described. The boiler and engine aremounted as far to the front of the platform as practicable in order thatthey may counterweight the platform when the derrick is in operation. Atthe rear end of the platform is mounted a triangular frame 7, from theapex of which is suspended the hoisting-tackle S. To the fallblock ofthe tackle is attached a ring 9, which carries two chains 10 I0, to theends of which are attached large hooks Il, more fully shown in Fig. IV.Each hook comprises a pivot-head 12, a shank 13, a bight le at rightangles to the shank, and a point 15 at right angles to the bight.

The rope 17 of the hoisting-tackle extends to the winch 6 and isarranged to be wound up by it. The entire apparatus may be selfpropelledby said engine 5, the sprocketchain 2() connecting the axle 22 of therear wheels with the shaft of the winch 6 and the latter being providedwith the clutch 21, by

means of which the engine and the axle 22 may be connected ordisconnected.

In the operation of my device I find that it is possible in an ordinarycity street to raise the pavement in sheets extending from the curb tothe car-track, assuming this distance to vary from eight to twelve feet,according to the circumstances. In the drawings I have illustrated theposition and shape of the pieces as raised by my device. The curbstoneof the street is represented at 30, and at 3l the proximate car-track.

In beginning operations a single cut must first be made in the surfacefrom curb to track down to the foundation. The apparatus is then broughtinto proper position and the two hooks Il are inserted in the cut withtheir points beneath the asphalt surface, each being so placed as todivide the distance from curb to track into three more or less equalportions. The winch now winds up the hoisting-tackle, and it will befound that the entire width of the asphalt surface will be raised, thepiece first curving up and then breaking off in a line substantiallyparallel to the original cut. The size of the piece thus raised andbroken ofl will vary, according to the strength of the asphalt surfaceand the position of the hoisting mechanism; but I have found byexperience that, as a rule, it is possible to raise a piece having awidth of, say, ten feet and a length of about four feet. Before thepiece thus raised has been lifted to a right angle a sharp cleavage willhave been effected be- IOO IOS

tween it and the remaining pavement. As soon as this occurs the hoistingis stopped, and a stone 36 or broken piece of pavement is thrown beneaththe partially-raised piece. The tackle is then again lowered, when thebroken-off piece will tilt itself back into the position shown in Fig. Iat 35 35, thereby permitting the ready insertion of the hooks un der theedge of the unbroken surface for the purpose of raising the next piece.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. An apparatus for raisingthe surface of asphalt pavement which consists of a movable platformcarrying an engine-derrick and hoisting-tackle, and having attached tothe fall-block of the tackle a plurality of chains with hooks on theirends capable of insertion beneath the surface of the pavement.

2. An apparatus for raising the surface of asphalt pavement whichconsists of a movable platform carrying an engine-derrick andhoisting-tackle, and having attached vto the fall-block of the tackle apivoted hook with shank, bight and point at right angles to each other.

3. An apparatus for raising asphalt pavement, which comprises a movableplatform arranged to be supported by and to traverse said pavement;means carried by said platform, arranged to overhang and engage the edgeof said pavement and, means carried by said platform, arranged to upliftsaid engaging means and said pavement, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereofl I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, this 3d day of August, 1905.

WILLIAM E. KERNS.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON.

